BP2MI: On Jokowi's Order, The State Prepares Loan Money For Prospective Workers Overseas

Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) Benny Rhamdani. ANTARA/Karel A Polakitan

MANADO - Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) Benny Rhamdani said the state has prepared a loan for prospective workers who will work abroad.

"The loan money can be repaid every month with very low interest," said Rhamdani at a limited coordination meeting in Manado, North Sulawesi, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, July 15.

Usually, for the financing needs of overseas placements, there are only two options, the first is to sell family assets or borrow from moneylenders.

"Pak Jokowi ordered that the nation's children who dream of going abroad are no longer allowed to sacrifice by selling family property and borrowing it from moneylenders for tickets, passports, visas, training costs, food and drink, accommodation, medical check-ups and psychology, now the state prepare a loan of money," he said.

Unsecured loans can be facilitated by BNI Bank or other state banks.

BNI, according to him, provides a loan ceiling of IDR 40 million, while other state banks such as BRI provide a higher ceiling of IDR 100 million.

He hopes that this job opportunity abroad can be captured by prospective workers, including in North Sulawesi Province.

"I was asked by Mrs. Erny (Kadisnakertrans North Sulawesi) how much is the quota for North Sulawesi who can work abroad, I answered as much as possible, we will accommodate," said Rhamdani.

He said that migrant workers who work in Japan are paid Rp. 22-30 million per month, Germany is Rp. 34-40 million, while Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore are Rp. 20-27 million.

"The salary of the head of the agency is only Rp. 26 million, it is less than the salary of a migrant worker," he said.